Kukla's Korner Hockey

The American Hockey League today released the complete schedule of regular-season games for the 2013-14 season, the league’s 78th year of operation. The season, comprising 1,140 games, begins on Fri., Oct. 4 and concludes on Sun., Apr. 20; each of the league’s 30 clubs will play 76 games, 38 at home and 38 on the road.

Some highlights of the 2013-14 schedule:

• The 2013-14 regular season begins with five games on Oct. 4, including the defending Calder Cup champion Grand Rapids Griffinsvisiting the Rochester Americans. The Griffins’ home opener is scheduled for Oct. 18 vs. the Milwaukee Admirals.

• There are two new teams in the AHL this season, with the Iowa Wild beginning play in Des Moines as the top development team of the NHL’s Minnesota Wild, and theUtica Comets hitting the ice as the primary affiliate of the NHL’s Vancouver Canucks. The Wild open their inaugural season at home vs. the Oklahoma City Barons on Oct. 12; the Comets begin with three road games before their home opener on Oct. 23 vs. the Albany Devils.